This is why an understanding of grace that is more mature that just saying undeserved favor is essential. I used to believe exactly as does Red. And i was getting drunk, doing drugs, having affairs, mistreating my wife, (although I never beat her, thank God,) and other things just as horrible. I did these things for years after being converted. But I was shown by God that He would not receive me in that state. I had truly heard the message of Jesus Christ crucified for me, but then I was not shown by those who should have shown me, what continuing grace is. And so there was never any power over sin in my life. As time went on, I grew colder towards God and His convictions, and I used scripture to convince myself that I was saved. It was all a lie.
I was a violent enemy of the gospel of Jesus. My words of my testimony had absolutely no power. I was devoid of the power of the Spirit. God delivered me from that terrible darkness. I did not ask Him to deliver me, but He did. I am now responsible to Him to fight against that darkness with all that I am and all that He has placed in me. But this deception is so strong, it is very difficult to overcome.
Belief in the words that are written will not save us unless we ask and receive new life from above, from God. Our being crucified with Jesus, being buried with Him, to be raised up in His new resurrection life, this is real and not just some words we believe. The Holy Spirit coming to live in us and coming to fil us with His power is more real than anything that exists in this world, and more important. Our drawing near to God, in the holy place to meet Him and come to know Him, is very vital to our salvation.
I was a violent enemy of the gospel of Jesus. My words of my testimony had absolutely no power. I was devoid of the power of the Spirit. God delivered me from that terrible darkness. I did not ask Him to deliver me, but He did. I am now responsible to Him to fight against that darkness with all that I am and all that He has placed in me. But this deception is so strong, it is very difficult to overcome.
Belief in the words that are written will not save us unless we ask and receive new life from above, from God. Our being crucified with Jesus, being buried with Him, to be raised up in His new resurrection life, this is real and not just some words we believe. The Holy Spirit coming to live in us and coming to fil us with His power is more real than anything that exists in this world, and more important. Our drawing near to God, in the holy place to meet Him and come to know Him, is very vital to our salvation.